Mamata government would have denied Nadia firing: Left Front

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Last Updated: Thu, Nov 15, 2012 14:10 hrs

Kolkata, Nov 15 (IANS) Dismissing claims that police fired in self−defence in West Bengal's Tehatta, the opposition Left Front Thursday said the Mamata Banerjee government would have denied the incident had there been no video footage showing a policeman firing bullets.

"I am sure had there not been this video showing the policeman firing, the government would have denied that such an incident took place. They have denied firing in Birbhum, and they would have done the same here," Left Front chairman Biman Bose said.

One person was killed allegedly in the police firing while nine others sustained injuries.

An old dispute over land acquisition for coal mining Nov 6 had triggered a police−villagers clash in Loba village in Birbhum district that left 27 policemen and six villagers injured.

While there were allegations of police firing, the state government had vehemently denied the claims.

Bose also accused the government of drawing conclusions even before a probe into the incient was completed.

"They have ordered a probe and before it is completed they are drawing conclusions of their own. The government should comment only on the basis of the facts. A status quo should be maintained for the facts to come out," added Bose.

The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the violence and police firing at Houlia More in Tehatta area of Nadia district.

The incident has been widely condemned by the opposition demanding an impartial probe into the matter.

Bharatiya Janata Party state president Rahul Sinha said he would meet Governor M.K. Narayanan Thursday and ask for his intervention in the matter.